Trek Factory Racing today scotched rumours that Tejay van Garderen will join the American team in 2016.
Van Garderen, who was on course for a Tour de France podium finish before illness forced his withdrawal on Wednesday, is believed to have one year left on his contract with BMC after signing a contract extension in October 2012.
However, Team Sky’s Richie Porte is set to join the Swiss team next season in a big-money move and BMC’s future post 2016 is currently uncertain; two things that could pave the way for van Garderen riding elsewhere. Rumours at the Tour de France have linked the 26-year-old to Trek.
“We believe Tejay van Garderen has a year left on his contract,” a Trek spokesperson told Cycling Weekly today.
Under UCI rules, teams are not permitted to announced rider transfers until August 1. “We don’t comment on transfer rumours or speculation,” added BMC’s Chief Communications Officer Georges Lüchinger.
BMC manager Jim Ochowicz told Cycling Weekly earlier this week that Porte’s much-speculated arrival at the team will no impact on van Garderen’s Grand Tour leadership ambitions.
“He’s matured, he’s not over reacting to situations that happen every day and he’s leading the team. He’s moving people around in the race – they respect him for that – and with the pre-race strategy we put in place each day, he’s part of that decision making about how it’s going to happen and then he’s part of the decision making as the race matures each day.”
CW also understands that BMC were also unsuccessful in a bid to sign promising British youngster Tao Geoghegan Hart, who is set to sign for Team Sky in 2016.
Tejay van Garderen's BMC Timemachine
